Control means for pile fabric knitting machines



' Feb. 18, 1969 F c, w N 3,427,829

CONTROL MEANS FOR FILE FABRIC KNITTING MACHINES Filed July 6, 1966 Sheet ofS INVBNTOK.

CWIESINGER ATTORNEY FREDERICK Feb. 18, 1969 F. c. WIESINGER comnor, MEANS FOR PILE FABRIC KNITTING Mommas Filed July 6, 1966 Z of 5 Sheet INVENTOR. FREDERICK CWESINGER CONTROL MEANS FOR PILE FABR Filed July 6, 1966 IC KNITTINGMACHINES Sheetiof" [NVE TOR. FREDERICK WIEZSINGER E/mar 2-.W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A switching device involving magnetically activated reed switches being responsive to the dictates of an endless patterning mechanism for controlling electromagnetic clutches to alternately drive pairs of drafting-carding units which are being fed high-pile sliver from two sources.

This invention pertains to pile fabric knitting machines and more particularly to an improved means of controlling the feeding of roving or sliver to the drafting and carding mechanism of such machines.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an automatic control means for starting and stopping the sources of sliver being fed to the drafting and carding mechanism of a knitting machine.

A further object is that of providing an automatic means for controlling the feed of silver which receives its dictates from sensing elements functioning in cooperation with an endless strip pattern being advanced by a rotating drum member.

Another object is that of providing a means for controlling the feed of sliver automatically and which will .perform its intended function with a minimum of attention and maintenance.

A further and more specific object is to provide such an automatic means for controlling drafting and carding heads which is adapted to feed a plurality of sources of sliver in a manner to produce high pile fabric in varying patterns such a checks or stripes which may difier in color or other physical characteristics.

Other objects will become apparent from the following disclosure.

Circular independent needle knitting machines for producing high-pile fabric are well known to those conversant with the knitting are and such machines commonly utilize carding mechanisms such as those disclosed in US. Patents 2,964,932 and 3,153,335. These carding mechanisms are adapted to present fibers to the knitting needles in a manner which permits said needles to draw tufts thereof into each stitch so that they project from at least one side of the base fabric.

The control means according to the instant invention is adapted to function in cooperation with drafting and carding mechanisms in each of which two differing supplies of fiber in sliver form are alternately furnished to the doffing roll by the activation of electromagnetic clutching arrangements.

The instant control means is a switching arrangement which receives its dictates from a patterning device that includes a slotted drum over which an endless strip pattern having pattern determining indicia is passed with sensing elements for reading said indicia.

The switching arrangement is disposed above the patterning device within a box-like structure and includes a plurality of single pole. double throw, maintained position reed switch control assemblies each of which controls and is in circuit with one of the plurality of drafting and carding units disposed about a knitting machine.

The plurality of reed switch control assemblies are juxtapositioned within the box-like structure and since they each contain the same components and perform like functions, only one such assembly will hereinafter be referred 1.0.

A single switch assembly includes a pair of reed switches disposed in vertical alignment with each being in circuit with one of the electromagnetic clutches of one of the drafting and carding units. A spring biased slide member is positioned for vertical reciprocation in close proximity with the reed switches and includes a pair of spaced magnet members movable with said slide member to two different positions whereby one or the other of said reed switches is activated at all times in accordance with the dictates of a desired pattern.

The slide member is caused to reciprocate by means of a plunger member the lower end of which is adapted to be pushed upwardly by a sensing element of the patterning device and the upper end is in contact with the lower surface of said slide member.

The invention will be described in detail by reference to specific embodiments thereof one of which is illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the invention as applied to a typical knitting machine;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of a reed switch assembly according to the invention showing the relationship of the various components thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of the switch assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing the pawl arrangement for maintaining the slide member in a selected position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a switch assembly that is adapted to be positioned adjacent to that of FIG. 1 Which utilizes identical components but which are positioned so as not to be in alignment with an adjacent assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in exploded form showing the multiplicity of individual elements which comprise a reed switch assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the switch control unit according to the invention is depicted generally by numeral 10 and includes a housing 11 of a box-like structure which is mounted on a support bracket 12 that is bolted to the frame 13 of a knitting machine as at 14.

One of the plurality of drafting and carding units dislposed about the knitting machine is identified generally by numeral 15 and is fixedly attached by any suitable means (not shown) to the upper portion of said knitting machine. This unit as shown and described in the aforementioned patent application includes a housing 16 which supports therein a sufficient number of drafting rolls 17 that are disposed in a manner to accommodate two sources of sliver (not shown).

The drafting and carding unit also includes a pair of electromagnetic clutches which are identified by numerals 18 and 19 (FIG. 1). These clutches are disposed one above the other in vertical alignment and, being arranged to be alternately energized by the switch control unit that will be more fully described hereinafter, they provide the driving means for rotating the drafting rolls supported within the housing 16.

The patterning device is positioned immediately below the housing 11 of the switch control unit 10 and is of the well known type for circular Jacquard type knitting machines such as shown and described in US. Patent 2,861,443. The patterning device is depicted generally by numeral 20 and is fixedly attached to the underside of the support bracket 12 in such a manner as to be in vertical alignment with the switch control unit. This patterning device includes among other known parts a slotted drum 21 having at its ends sprockets 22 and 23 adapted to maintain properly aligned with the drum 21 an endless strip pattern 24 having pattern determining indicia or so called perforations 25 punched therein.

A plurality of selector levers 26 of conventional design are disposed above the drum with each including adjacent its outer end a spring biased pin 27. These pins 27 are in contact with the outer surface of the endless strip pattern 24 and as the latter is advanced by the drum 21 and as said pins become aligned with the pattern perforations 25, they automatically pass through the latter and into an aligned slot in said drum. Continued movement of the drum will move the selected selector levers 26 inwardly and by means of a rocking lifter bar (not shown) said selected levers are pivoted upwardly to perform their intended function of controlling the switch control unit now to be more fully described.

The housing 11 of the switch control unit has fixedly positioned on and depending from the underside thereof a plunger guide bracket 28. This bracket is adapted to support for vertical reciprocation a plurality of plunger member or selector bars 29 which are equal in number to the reed switch assemblies within the housing 11 and the number of drafting and carding units disposed about the knitting machine. The number of selector bars 29 are also equal in number to the plurality of selector levers 26 and each being individual to one of said selector levers, the lower ends thereof are positioned in close proximity with its respective selector lever. When a selector lever 26 is pivoted upwardly it contacts the lower end of its respective selector bar '29 moving the latter a sufiicient distance so as to actuate its respective reed switch assembly.

FIG. lshows a portion of housing 11 broken away and for the purpose of brevity illustrates only two of the plurality of reed switch assemblies contained within said housing 11. It should be understood however, the total number 'of these assemblies equals the number of drafting and carding units on a knitting machine and that each assembly is in circuit with its respective unit.

A reed switch assembly is shown in FIG. 2 and includes among its multiplicity of parts a switch support plate 30 that is generally rectangular in shape. A mounting plate 31 also of rectangular configuration and fabricated from any suitable electrical insulating material such as Formica is adjustably attached to the side and adjacent one edge of the support plate by means of a pair of screws 32 and 33. Two pairs of terminal switch clamps 34 and 35 are disposed in spaced relation and are fixedly attached to the mounting plate 31 by means of screws 36. These switch clamps 34 and 35 traverse the mounting plate 31 and their ends extend beyond the sides of said mounting plate. Each of the switch clamps consists of two identical members one of which overlies the other and which are clamped together by means of the aforementioned screws 36. The switch clamps being formed from two like members provide a means on the inner ends thereof for clamping and holding the terminal ends of a pair of reed switches 37 and 38. The terminal ends of reed switch 37 are securely held by switch clamps 34 and those of switch 38 by switch clamps 35.

The ends of termial switch clamps 34 and 35 opposite the ends for holding the terminal portion of the switches extend outwardly from the support plate 30 and mounting plate 31 and serve as terminal connections for placing said switches in circuit with their respective electromagnetic clutches of one of the drafting and carding units disposed about the knitting machine. A jumper plate 39 interconnects one of the switch clamps 34 with one of the switch clamps 35 and with the reed switch activating means now to be described, it provides a switch assembly of the single pole, double throw, maintained position type.

The means for activating these reed switches includes a generally rectangular slide member 40 (FIGS. 2 and 4) having laterally extending lips 41 and 42 integrally formed at the ends thereof. The slide member also includes a longitudinally extending lip 43 which is disposed in a plane normal to the slide member itself and, forming one side of the latter, it extends for a portion of said members length.

The slide member 40 is slidably attached to the switch support plate 30 by means of screws 44 and 45 and flanged bushings 46 and 47. Bushings 46 and 47 have their barrel portions within aligned elongated slots 48 and 49 provided in the slide member and the threaded portion of screws 44 and 45 passing through said bushings assemble in aligned threaded holes 50 and 51 (FIG. 5) provided in the switch support plate 30.

Slide member 40 is movable within the limits of the elongated slots 48 and 49 and is continually being urged in the direction of the indicating arrow 52 depicted in FIG. 2 by means of a coil spring 53 one end of which attaches to lip 42 and the opposite end to a pin 54 that is fixedly attached to the switch support plate 30.

The longitudinally extending lip 43 of the slide member 40 supports a pair of magnet members 55 and 56 in spaced alignment by means of retainer clamps 57 and 58 which assemble on said lip by means of screws 59 and 60 (FIGS. 2 and 5 The magnet members 55 and 56 are movable with the slide member 40 and are disposed in close proximity with the reed switches 37 and 38. Magnet member 55 is individual to and adapted to activate switch 37 while magnet 56 is adapted to activate switch 38.

When the slide member is in the solid line position shown in FIG. 2 magnet member 55 is in a position for maintaining the reeds of switch 37 in contact thereby completing the circuit to its respective electromagnetic clutch of the drafting and carding unit.

The upper end of one of the plurality of selector bars 29 is in contact with lip 41 of the slide member and when a selection is made to pivot a cooperating selector lever 26 upwardly as heretofore described and selector bar is moved in a like direction and moves said slide member to the phantom line position depicted in FIG. 2. This movement of the slide member carries magnet member 55 out of alignment with switch 37 allowing the reeds thereof to separate and at the same time moves magnet member 56 into a position for activating switch '38 which completes the circuit to the second electromagnetic clutch of the drafting and carding unit.

The slide member is maintained in the phantom line position shown in FIG. 2 for the duration of a single selection by means of cam members 61 and 62 and a cooperating pivotable pawl element generally indicated by numeral 63.

Cam members 61 and 62 are in step form, that is to say a portion of each cam is of reduced thickness as depicted by numerals 64 and 65, respectively, in FIG. 5. These cam members are fixedly attached in spaced relation to the switch support plate 30 by means of screws 66 and 67 and are arranged so that the portions 64 and of reduced thickness overlie a portion of the slide member 40 thereby forming additional guiding surfaces for said slide member.

The pawl element is pivotably attached to the slide member 40 by means of a screw 68 and includes a recess 69 at one end and a recess 70 at its opposite end. When the slide member is in the solid line position shown in FIG. 2 the pawl element 63 is also in that position depicted by solid lines in this figure of the drawing.

When the slide member is caused to move as heretofore described the recess 70 of the pawl element will contact cam 62 pivoting said pawl to that position identified by the letter A in FIG. 3. As the slide member attempts to return to its initial position by the biasing force of coil spring 53, recess 69 will engage cam 61 as shown by the letter B in FIG. 3 and the slide member will be maintained in the phantom line position of FIG. 2 until a subsequent selection is made. At the next selection, the selector bar 29 will move the slide member 40 a distance sufficient to cause the pawl element to contact cam member 62. This movement will pivot the pawl element to a generally horizontal position and as the biasing force of coil spring 53 moves the slide member in the direction of the indicating arrow 52 (FIG. 2) the side of the pawl element will be contacted by cam 61 causing said pawl to pivot approximately 90 degrees from the horizontal position. When the pawl element is in this position the biasing force of spring 53 will move the slide member back to its initial position or that position shown by solid lines in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a reed switch assembly very similar to that of FIG. 2 but with the various components thereof being disposed so as not to be in alignment with those in the FIG. 2 assembly.

The housing 11 of the switch control unit contains a plurality of the reed switch assemblies disposed in side by side relation and the alternate assemblies have their components positioned as shown in FIG. 4 so that the switches thereof will not be affected by the magnets of the adjacent assemblies. The various components of the FIG. 4 assembly being like those of FIG. 2 are identified by like members but with the addition of a prime.

In operation, two sources of sliver are fed to each of the drafting and carding units disposed about a knitting machine. Each of these units includes two electromagnetic clutches which are alternately activated so that one of said clutches is functioning at all times during operation of the knitting machine. A reed switch assembly of the single pole, double throw, maintained position type controls the alternate activating and deactivating of each pair of clutches of a drafting and carding unit.

Each reed switch assembly receives its dictates from a Jacquard type patterning mechanism which utilizes an endless strip pattern having perforations formed therein according to some desired pattern which are adapted to be read by well known sensing levers cooperating therewith. When a selected sensing lever is pivoted upwardly, it is caused to act upon a cooperating selector bar which in turn acts upon the slide member to move it from position which deactivates one of the clutch members and activates the other. The slide member is maintained in this position by a pivoting pawl element and cooperating cam member for the duration of a single selection. When a subsequent selection is made the slide member is moved a sufiicient distance to release it from its selected position and by spring action it is returned to its initial position. This movement deactivates the switch and its respective clutch previously selected and reactivates that switch and clutch that was operating prior to the initial movement of the slide member.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a circular knitting machine having a rotatable cylinder equipped with reciprocable needles and at least one high pile striping mechanism disposed adjacent said cylinder for feeding sliver to the needles thereof, wherein said striping mechanism comprises a pair of sliver feeding units adapted to be selectively activated by electromagnetic clutch members, a patterning device including a slotted drum over which an endless strip pattern having pattern determining indicia is passed with sensing elements for reading s'ai-d indicia, a switch controller having means for receiving the patterning dictates from said sensing elements and a switching means including a plurality of reed switches disposed in spaced alignment and cooperating with said first mentioned means, each of said switches being individual to and in circuit with one of said clutch members for alternately activating said clutch members whereby the slivers are alternately fed to said knitting machine.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said switching means further includes a reciprocable slide member disposed in close proximity with said reed switches having a plurality of switch actuating members fixedly attached thereto which are individual to each of said switches and which are movable with said slide member to predetermined positions for sequentially activating and deactivating each of said switches.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said switch controller comprises a plurality of slidable plunger members having first ends thereof in contact with said sensing elements and the opposite ends being individual to and in contact with said reciprocable slide members, thereby affecting sliding movement of the latter upon selection by said sensing elements.

4. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said switch actuating members comprise magnet members fixedly positioned in spaced relation on said slide member and movable therewith to selected positions for actuating the reed switches individual thereto.

5. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said slide member is spring biased in a non-selected direction and includes a holding means for maintaining it in a given selected position until a subsequent selection thereof.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said holding means includes a rotatable pawl with cooperating cam members engageable therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,894,596 1/1933 Coore 669 2,861,443 11/1958 Wiesinger 66-155 2,964,932 12/1960 Rose 669 3,122,904 3/1964 Brandt 66-9 3,153,335 10/1964 Hill 66-9 3,299,672 1/1967 Schmidt 66---9 ROBERT R. MACKEY, Primary Examiner. 

